"Ward's Warriors": Real Life Champions
by Bob Wage on Dec 21, 2009 7:00 AM EST
39 comments
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Aaron Ward is having a rough season, not unlike many of his teammates. The Canes have had more than a couple of losing streaks early this year and have not yet been able to fight their way out of the basement of the NHL. Ward was even put on waivers this past week, his future with the club now somewhat in question.
However things can change quickly in sports, especially when people of high character are involved. Don't count out Aaron Ward. He has the ability, attitude, and experience to turn his season around. But regardless of how he does on the ice, Ward should be given credit for something special he is doing off the ice.
If you have attended games at the RBC this season, you probably have noticed an announcement made about "Ward's Warriors" as well as an introduction to the program's participants that evening. Recently, I caught up with the big defenseman and asked him if he could provide more details about his namesake program.
Ward's eyes lit up when he started talking about it, as obviously he is very proud and committed to the project.
"When I first came here in 2001, I came to realize that the state of North Carolina was a heavily populated military area. So when you are put in that environment, you really get the chance to appreciate those who put forth that sacrifice."
He elaborated a bit more.
"I was here for 9/11, and the majority of my experience in the United States post 9/11 has been here in North Carolina. And you see first hand the number of people affected by it. Not necessarily the actual day, 9/11, but in the activities that have followed. Through personal experience I got to know some people who have gone off. I have a lot of patriotic friends and co-workers, so it became a vested interest to do something like this."
Ward described the work of teachers and those in the military as being typically "undervalued", but he values both professions, for the obvious reasons. "The people who are brave enough to sign up in the military, put their lives on the line, and engage in battle, have my deepest respect," Ward said.
"Last year they had "Military Appreciation Night" in Boston and they asked fans to donate their tickets, but I felt it's tough for fans to do that, so I donated $15,000 toward tickets for the military that night. As it turned out, several people who attended that game came from Taunton, Massachusetts and the majority of those assigned there ended up going to Afghanistan."
"Ward's Warriors" can be comprised of active duty military, veterans, or even wounded soldiers just returned from overseas. The team's representatives try to select a mixture of participants from each of the military bases in the state.
The Carolina defenseman explained how the program got started.
"I'm older now and always wanted to do something like this. And since this area is so heavily affected by the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq, I thought it would be nice to provide the active duty and their families the ability to step away from the stress a bit and enjoy a night out where everything is paid for, food, tickets, and drinks. They sit in the comfort of a catered suite, in their own environment, and hopefully enjoy the game."
Last week on December 16, I had the opportunity to visit Ward's suite and meet some of the people involved.
First of all, I met Rob Leavel, (from ASC Construction Equipment) and Ed McHale, (from Volvo Rents), both of whom serve as hosts in the suite and partner with Ward in the program. I asked them how they became matched up with Ward.
"We also support the troops as corporate sponsors of "Operation Thank You", so this was a natural fit for us to team up with him because we both support the military."
They also said that they could not be more pleased with the partnership. "Ward really takes an active part in deciding who will be in here. He will take pictures of the participants and sometimes even bring them down to the locker room after the game."
There were some veterans and a Marine in attendance that night. I had the pleasure of speaking with a couple of them.
Pictured above on the right is John, an active duty Marine stationed in Camp LeJeune. He signed up for the program in his church group and was selected that way. This was his first Hurricanes game and he was having a great time.
The next photo is of Hal and Marilyn Shook from Cary. Hal is a veteran of three different wars and participated in the Normandy invasion in World War 2. He started out flying planes for the Army Air Corps, which was technically the Air Force before it was even called the Air Force. The pilot flew fighter planes for 27 years while in the service.
Hal has been a hockey fan for a long time. "I was stationed in Virgina for awhile, and a group of us used to go down to watch Greensboro play all the time, we loved it", he explained. The vet still loves hockey but said he usually can't afford a seat anymore. He was certainly enjoying this game. "The boys are looking good tonight", he said with a smile.
Hal and Marilyn also gave me information about their website, (Flying Spirit.org), which you can check out if you are interested.
I did not have the chance to speak with the group above, but if I had to guess one looks like a veteran of the Korean War.
All in all, it was very interesting to find out more about the program. The area is very fortunate to have several players like Ward, who do so much for the community. Cam Ward and Eric Staal have similar programs and some of the other players do different things as well. For instance, the team's Kids 'N Community Foundation has granted over $7.5 million to various local youth orientated organizations, since it's inception.
Canes Country will be looking more closely at some other projects like these in the future.
(Many thanks to Kristina Boyce of the Hurricanes for her help in setting up the suite visit and to Jamie Kellner for her outstanding photography work.)
0 recs |
39 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
Maybe this will give some of AWard’s critics (including me) a moment’s thought before we boo him or wish he was off the team. There is nothing he can do for the Canes on the ice that would affect the community more than this program. Thanks for the article, Bob, especially during the holidays, and thanks AWard for recognizing our active and retired military personnel.
Yup...
Say what you will about him on the ice (and I have), I like him as a person. He’s entertaining to listen to, and obviously is dedicated to doing great things in the community.
by Raccoon Fink on Dec 21, 2009 9:16 AM EST up reply actions
He played well.
He was +2, he went down on the ice to block shots, he handled the puck fairly well.
He played well and if he plays like this for the rest of the season he’ll end his career on a high note.
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
+10
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 21, 2009 9:54 AM EST up reply actions
I agree with some sentiments here...
I may have not liked the trade for him, I thought it was a bad move on Rutherford’s part. But I think Aaron Ward is a classy guy and good person off the ice. I just think on the ice, he’s up there with Rod Brind’Amour in somebody who is at the end of his time as a player. I really hate to say it, but it’s looking like that a great deal.
They interviewed Phoneix Captain Shane Doan on his 1000th game with the yotes organization on “On the Fly” – he’s only 33, but they brought up how do you know when it’s time to retire? (my ears perked up) He said something like: “someone once told me that when you notice that the players you don’t think are really good are in fact better than you are, that’s a sign that it may be time to move on”.
yeah – maybe there are better ways to contribute to making the world a better place to live – and chances are they’re more fun and satisfying..
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
Regardless of my personal feelings for the man, I can in no way argue that he’s not doing a good thing here. I really hope that no matter what happens to A.Ward in terms of his career this year, he continues to do things like this. It’s stuff like this that makes you realize the caliber of character that this team, and this sport, has.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Speaking of Dmen, both Gleason and Wallin are skating with the team this morning, according to the tweets. Gleason in the full visor.
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
And he’s hating every minute of wearing it apparently.
"This guy is as meat and potatoes as there is of a man."
Gleason for Emperor!
Return of the Emperor. Yes!
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 21, 2009 11:34 AM EST up reply actions
Oh and I just did a water change of the fishtank – so that usually helps too. I believe the last time was Dec 5th when we beat the Canucks. (with Cole’s hattie)
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 21, 2009 11:43 AM EST up reply actions
THIS.. is why I’m a Carolina Hurricanes fan. Regardless of the record these guys are always winners in my book.
THIS.. is why I’m a Carolina Hurricanes fan. Regardless of the record these guys are always winners in my book.Thanks for telling the story, Bob. Very well done.
SISU
I still don't get the hate for Wallin.
I think he’s been solid. He’s not slow, just not as quick might be the only thing.
He’s almost never out of position.
He’s defensive sound.
His +/- is there with the rest of the Canes.
Why the “Oh, Wallin’s back”?
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
OT, the Canes can only miss 23 more points.....
as that will bring them to the “magical 95 pts.” margin. That’s 11 regulation losses and 1 OT loss, 23 OT losses or any combo that leads to having them lose more than 23 pts.
Just FYI.
I wonder if we should have a countdown thread or is that just going too far?
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
Playoffs? Playoffs? Playoffs?
A countdown would be nice. Consider this, The Canes could go 30-10-7 in their remaining 47 games and still would end up with only 91 points and likely out of the playoffs. Even with their better play during December we are still only 4-3-1 this month. Good to see the team competitive and playing hard. As long as they keep up the effort then My buddy and I will drive the 90 miles to see them for each home game.
What I want to know is how few points do we need to clinch bottom 2? Is there a way to track that?
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 21, 2009 12:56 PM EST up reply actions
Difficult to say right now, since it depends on how badly other teams are doing.
Last few years, the bottom team has ranged anywhere from upper 50’s to low 70’s in points.
Just stay south of the Leafs and I’d guess we got it made…
A
The Canes are like a box of expired chocolates......
Gleason for the "C" :
Just what do we need to do to make this happen?
by hockeymomof2 on Dec 21, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions
There is a way to track it.
As any team could stop earning points for the playoffs right now, you’d have to track all of them.
What can be done is have a “magic number of lost points” after which the Canes could never over take (or is it the other team could never fall behind?) the Canes. I know what I’m doing when the boss leaves.
Happerry Chrisolkwanaka
Good stuff here, Bob.
greaticepectations.blogspot.com
by Great Ice-Pectations on Dec 21, 2009 1:38 PM EST reply actions
Great article, its nice to see players give back or go out of their way to help others. A. Ward gets an A+ for this and a F- for his play this season.
A TRUE CANIAC......YES I AM........
by canescup on Dec 21, 2009 2:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions
Thanks all for the comments. We normally do not get into topics like this on the site, but we will try to do more in the future.
GM of CanesCountry.com
Ward's Warriors
Bob,
It’s nice to see the pub given to class guys who go out of their way to give back to the community. Our STH group stand & cheer each time we hear & see these announcements at the arena, and I’m sure there are plenty of charitable things that the guys do that never get publicly noticed. Well timed & informative article – the guys deserve the recognition.
Aaron Ward is definitely one of the NHL’s good guys…and one hell of a radio interview.
by Stanley Cup of Chowder on Dec 27, 2009 3:25 PM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Canes Country
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
In Association With
Latest Puck Daddy - NHL from Yahoo! Sports
- In which former NHL coach Ken Hitchcock foils a shoplifter
- Montreal's Price talks new 2-year contract, expectations post-Halak
- Donald Fehr aware of Kovalchuk drama, mum on everything else
- Puck Headlines: Savard's agent rants on Bettman; Halak in Montreal
- Boudreau, Crawford placed on the coaching hot seat
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
